Jeanne Marie Dahlberg McKenna Obituary

Jeanne Marie (née Sullivan) Dahlberg McKenna
March 18, 1934 -September 30, 2024
After having immeasurably enhanced this world and everyone She ever met, Jeanne has left to take a seat of honor in Heaven and join her parents Marie (née Costello) and Paul Sullivan and her siblings. She was born and raised in Brookline and a Brookline High School graduate, Jeanne passed peacefully surrounded by her loved ones at her Daughter's home on Cape Cod.
She is pre-deceased by her parents, her loving step-father Lt. Edward Shaughnessy (BFD), her siblings William Sullivan, Patricia Sullivan DiClemente and John Sullivan, and her beloved Son-in-law Richard McDougal.
Jeanne, a lover of art and music, was educated through Brookline schools and graduated from Cambridge School of Nursing where she became a Registered Nurse. In 1954, her early professional years, she was selected to be a member of the nursing team for the first ever kidney transplant at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. She later went on to study at Emmanuel College where she earned her Master's degree and became one of Massachusetts newly licensed Registered Nurse Practitioners. She was extremely proud of having participated in the drafting and adoption of the first ever Massachusetts Patient Bill of Rights as part of her thesis project at Emmanuel.
She further went on to become the first Woman in the State to sign official documents for the creation of a medical practice, the non-profit Urban Medical group in Jamaica Plain.
Jeanne spent many years as an NP working for the Massachusetts Department of Health and Hospitals assessing the level of care provided by nursing homes in the state and then at the Longwood Island Shelter. She ended her career having transitioned to private practice where she functioned as Acute Management NP for Colonial Nursing Facilities.
She worked until age 82 when a fall forced her retirement. Yet once a Nurse always a Nurse and Jeanne was always worried bout all around her until her last breath. She often had dreams of working, would wake at night to 'check on the patients' which we laughed about. Saying 'why at 90 are you still working'.
Jeanne was equally known for her career as a photographer. In that world of amazingly creative lifelong friends, She was thrilled to have a photo accepted to the NYC United Nations Building exhibit, as well as, countless ribbon winning award and exhibitions throughout New England. She was the past president of South Shore Camera Club and delighted in dozens of organized trips with cherished friends to get the perfect shot. Whether it be in a freezing cold blind on Machias Island try to get the puffin or Acadia and the moose, or the best candid of people loving life, Jeanne spent her days chasing the shot, chasing the light, wherever the sun or moon were going you could find her there, at 4 am sunrise, followed by sunset then a midnight moon. Forever chase the light. A great motto to live by.
Jeanne was Martha Stewart before Martha was even born and enjoyed arranging/hosting lavish events for family and friends. She has a fabulous sense of humor and always kept everyone laughing and positive. She never met an obstacle she couldn't overcome. Her annual backyard bash brought 100+. family, friends musicians and even clowns. Say nothing of her randomly throwing a dinner party for a group of dear friends. The phrase 'Hostess with the Mostest' was created for Jeanne. Her delight at a perfect table setting was like a child in a toy store. Never met a piece of porcelain, crystal or linen that she didn't adore. A napkin ring collection like no other person on earth.
She leaves behind her children Sonja Dahlberg, Arik Dahlberg and Jema McDougal. She will be immensely missed by the additional greatest joys of her life, Grandchildren Hannah (and husband Mak) Timmerwoodz, David Timmermann, Adam Dahlberg and wife Rabia and Briana and Ciara McDougal. She will be incredibly missed by her nieces/nephews and an abundance of friends and colleagues, present and past.
Adhering to her wishes, service will be family only and Jeanne would rather want everyone to do acts of kindness daily to remember her.
She could frequently be heard saying 'As much as I can, for as many as I can, to the best of my abilities, for as long as I can.' She sure did a fantastic job achieving that goal!